Chapter 177 TEIGEN I
AUDREY
I cup his cheeks with my bandages clad palms, giving him a pointed look "What are you protecting me from?"
He stops, his eyes scanning mine, the wheels in his brain turning and for a second I wonder if he is going to tell me anything I can hold onto. "From the forces of darkness, forces of chaos. From the things I dare not control, but will for your safety"
Worry consumes my whole form, "If it is that serious, why do you wish you handle it all alone?"
This seems to be a dangerous matter then why doesn't he ask for help? Surely Darius is more than capable, yes but his army and allies could create a formidable force that will with no doubt pose a defense against this doom that is coming.
"I can't just sit back and let you take this on by yourself. I'm right here, here for you so you do not have to handle things like this alone. So please let me help you"
Darius glances away, his eyes closing as he inhales a deep breath before reopening them and regarding me, "Please my love. I know you want to help me but this is a burden I must carry alone, by myself. Please believe that I can handle it and do not worry yourself with this any longer"
"Please, focus on our wedding and other lighter topics of concern to you. Leave this to me" he reassures me but I can't help the nagging feeling gnawing at me. Reluctantly I give in to his pleading gaze, nodding in approval although I wish to do the opposite. He doesn't seem like he will let me help him so I must find another way. I promised myself to stay by his side no matter what, come hell or high waters and I intend to fulfill it.
"There is something"
~
TEIGEN
"Come along Teigen" His mother motions him forward, smiling reassuringly to her shy little boy as he inches closer to the open door.
Teigen was unlike other boys his age. At 11, his mates in the town had begun hunting bugs, critters like rats and squirrels. But Teigen was different. He was quiet, reserved and timid. He hated socialising with the other town kids, mostly because they looked at him with beady eyes of curiosity and intrigue.
His peculiar violet orbs stared at his age mates, fear and anxiety tightening his irises. He was the only one in the whole town that had such color of eyes, none of his parents possessed such unique eyes.
He inhaled a shaky breath, watching his mother drop him off at the children's playground while she went to work at the town pub. The pub was always very busy, patrons swarming in and out like bees. Everywhere was hot, noisy and crowded all the time.
Teigen's mother: Geneva worked as the baker, she made all types of pasteries: from bread to cakes, to her famous blueberry muffins. Teigen had begged his way into coming along with his mother to the pub enough times for the owner to grow fond of him. Teigen even began to sweep and clean the kitchen, quietly smiling as he worked.
Geneva always wondered why her son was different. Boys his age would be leaping at any opportunity to be outside, to climb trees and roughhouse with the other town kids but not her little Teigen. He found solace and pleasure in working in solitude, never complained, never demanded any attention. He was a sensitive, quiet and thoughtful boy but his strange demeanor was worrisome to his parents.
So Geneva had tried her very best to get Teigen to mingle with kids his age. Firstly, she had attempted to invite the town kids over for some pie but the moment Teigen heard the laughter and squealing of the kids he went into his room and refused to come out from under the straw bed, granted there wasn't much space under but Teigen didn't mind. He didn't come out till the children had left and his father had returned.
Secondly, she had spoken to her husband about it and he was appalled, insisting he take Teigen to work with him. Geneva's husband worked as a fueller (one who sells charcoal and wood). He leaves his home at the crack of dawn and returns at noon. On that very day Teigen had over heard his father's plans to take him along, so he decided to come up with an excuse. Teigen snuck into the kitchen very late at night and gulped down a full cup of sea salt water.
By the time Geneva's husband came to take him along, he was vomiting and wheezing profusely. He was instead taken to the apothecary (a preparer of herbs and drugs). Teigen had to stomach some very butter medicines but he didn't mind. He celebrated his miniscule victory, loving how much his mother dotted on him that day.
Now this was her last efforts and she hoped he wouldn't run away. She ran a hand through his curls playfully, placing a kiss to his forehead "I will come pick you up when I am done from the pub. If you make a friend I will bring back some of the leftovers from today's baked goods for you"
Her words were like honey balm to his anxiousness. He nodded wordlessly, the worry knitting his brows together. Teigen nervously gripped onto his shirt, screaming internally as he watched his mother walk away. She turned around once, blowing him a kiss before she disappeared from his sight. Teigen swallows nervously, feeling like a prey caught in a trap. The child keepers scurried about, attending to the noisy kids. Boys and girls ran around, swinging, playing, firing their catapults at the fruits in the trees. But in the quiet corner sat Teigen, his body folded into itself as he watched on, not once reaching out to join in the fun. He hated loud noises, the sound of clambering feet, the laughter, the high pitched screams. They were all too much for him.
His heart raced, his clammy hands squeezing at the material of his shirt. He screwed his eyes shut, praying that his mother would just appear to take him home. Suddenly he heard footsteps, once distant now drawing closer. From his position curled up he could see tiny feet covered in tiny scratches and wounds. Slowly he peaked through his hand shields at the girl that stood before him. Her form was clad in a cute floral dress that stopped just below her knees, similar cuts littered her skin, her rough dark hair in disarray.